### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb διαῤῥήσσω (transliterated as *diarrhḗssō*, Strong's `{{G1284}}`) is a compound word derived from the preposition διά (*dia*), meaning "through" or "apart," and the verb ῥήγνυμι (*rhēgnymi*, Strong's `{{G4486}}`), meaning "to break," "burst," or "rend." This etymology immediately suggests a forceful, violent, and complete act of tearing or breaking something asunder. Unlike a mere break or split, διαῤῥήσσω implies a tearing *through* or a breaking *apart* with significant force, often resulting in irreparable damage or a dramatic separation. Its core meaning encompasses the actions of breaking, rending, or tearing into pieces. The semantic range is therefore quite narrow, focusing on this intense act of forceful separation or destruction, often with an element of suddenness or violence.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
διαῤῥήσσω appears four times in the New Testament, consistently conveying this intense sense of tearing:
1. **Matthew 26:65**: "Then the high priest διαῤῥήσσω (tore) his clothes, saying, 'He has uttered blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? See, now you have heard his blasphemy.'" [[Matthew 26:65]]
* **Context**: Caiaphas, the High Priest, performs this act in response to Jesus' declaration of His divine Sonship. Tearing one's garments was a deeply symbolic action in ancient Jewish culture, signifying extreme grief, horror, indignation, or protest against blasphemy. Here, it is a public and dramatic display of Caiaphas's outrage and condemnation, intended to rally the Sanhedrin against Jesus. The tearing is not accidental but a deliberate, performative act of rejection.
2. **Mark 14:63**: "And the high priest διαῤῥήσσω (tore) his clothes and said, 'What further need do we have of witnesses?'" [[Mark 14:63]]
* **Context**: This account parallels Matthew's, reinforcing the significance of Caiaphas's action. The use of διαῤῥήσσω emphasizes the vehemence and finality of his rejection of Jesus' claim, portraying it as an act of profound, self-righteous indignation.
3. **Luke 5:6**: "And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were διαῤῥήσσω (breaking)." [[Luke 5:6]]
* **Context**: This passage describes the miraculous catch of fish after Jesus instructs Peter to let down his nets. The sheer abundance of the catch is so great that the nets cannot contain them and begin to break apart. Here, διαῤῥήσσω denotes a literal physical breaking due to overwhelming force or pressure. It highlights the magnitude of the miracle, exceeding the capacity of human equipment and effort.
4. **Acts 14:14**: "But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they διαῤῥήσσω (tore) their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out," [[Acts 14:14]]
* **Context**: In Lystra, after Paul heals a lame man, the crowd attempts to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas, mistaking them for gods. Their act of tearing their garments is a powerful public display of horror and protest against this idolatry. It signifies their absolute rejection of the honor being given to them, directing worship back to the one true God. Similar to Caiaphas, it's a symbolic act, but here it conveys righteous indignation against a theological error rather than a perceived blasphemy.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is ῥήγνυμι (*rhēgnymi*, `{{G4486}}`), the base verb for breaking or bursting, from which διαῤῥήσσω is derived, intensifying its meaning. Other words that convey a sense of breaking or tearing, though with different nuances, include:
* σχίζω (*schizō*, `{{G4977}}`): To split, divide, or tear, often implying a fissure or separation. This word is notably used for the tearing of the temple veil at Jesus' crucifixion ([[Matthew 27:51]], [[Mark 15:38]], [[Luke 23:45]]), which is conceptually related to the tearing of garments as a symbolic act, but with profound theological implications.
* λύω (*lyō*, `{{G3089}}`): To loose, untie, or break, often in the context of bonds or obligations.
* συνθλάω (*synthlaō*, `{{G4937}}`): To crush together, break in pieces.
Concepts associated with διαῤῥήσσω include:
* **Intense Emotion**: Grief, horror, indignation, protest (when tearing garments).
* **Overwhelming Power/Abundance**: As seen in the breaking nets, indicating a force beyond human containment.
* **Symbolic Action**: The tearing of garments as a public declaration.
* **Destruction/Rupture**: The forceful breaking apart of something.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of διαῤῥήσσω is primarily seen in its two distinct applications:
1. **Symbolic Tearing of Garments**: This act, performed by Caiaphas, Paul, and Barnabas, serves as a powerful visual and emotional declaration.
* **Caiaphas's Act**: His tearing of garments ([[Matthew 26:65]], [[Mark 14:63]]) is a dramatic, yet ironic, act. He condemns Jesus for blasphemy, tearing his garments in a display of false piety and indignation. This act of rejection by the religious authority underscores their spiritual blindness and their inability to recognize the Messiah. The tearing of his garments, meant to signify the ultimate violation of sacred law, stands in stark contrast to the tearing of the temple veil by God at Jesus' death, which signified the opening of direct access to God's presence.
* **Paul and Barnabas's Act**: Their tearing of garments ([[Acts 14:14]]) demonstrates their fervent commitment to monotheism and their absolute refusal to accept worship due only to God. It is a powerful witness against idolatry and a clear affirmation of their role as servants, not deities. This act underscores the humility and theological clarity required of God's messengers.
2. **Literal Breaking of Nets**: In the context of the miraculous catch ([[Luke 5:6]]), the breaking nets signify the overwhelming and superabundant provision of God. The physical breaking of the human-made equipment highlights that the blessing is beyond human capacity to achieve or even contain. It points to the divine power at work, underscoring the miraculous nature of Jesus' ministry and His authority over creation. This event serves as a powerful sign to Peter and the disciples, leading them to recognize Jesus' divine power and their call to a new, even more abundant, "catch" of people.
In both contexts, whether symbolic or literal, διαῤῥήσσω conveys an action of such force and finality that it points beyond the immediate event to deeper spiritual realities—be it human rejection of divine truth, righteous zeal for God's honor, or the boundless power of the Creator.
### Summary
διαῤῥήσσω (Strong's `{{G1284}}`) is a potent Greek verb meaning "to tear asunder," "break," or "rend" with significant force. Its etymology from διά (through/apart) and ῥήγνυμι (to break/burst) emphasizes a violent and complete separation. In the New Testament, it is used in two primary contexts:
1. **The symbolic tearing of garments**: This act, performed by Caiaphas ([[Matthew 26:65]], [[Mark 14:63]]) and by Paul and Barnabas ([[Acts 14:14]]), signifies extreme emotional responses. For Caiaphas, it is a dramatic, self-righteous condemnation of Jesus' perceived blasphemy. For Paul and Barnabas, it is a fervent protest against idolatry, redirecting worship to God alone. These instances highlight profound human reactions to divine revelation or perceived theological error.
2. **The literal breaking of fishing nets**: In the miraculous catch of fish ([[Luke 5:6]]), the nets break due to the overwhelming abundance, illustrating God's boundless power and provision that exceeds human capacity.
Thus, διαῤῥήσσω consistently conveys an action of intense rupture or separation, whether as a dramatic human expression of emotion and theological conviction or as a physical manifestation of overwhelming divine power.
TRV